Curriculum

Sample Microbiology 4-Year Plan


The Microbiology program is designed for students to complete within four years of Ohio State coursework. Below is a sample 4-year plan for a student starting at OSU in autumn of 2022 or later who receives an L on the Math Placement Test (allowing them to take calculus), but not starting with any existing college credit (such as AP, IB, or College Credit Plus). 

Please note that this is just an example. A four-year plan can wildly vary based on a student's interest in a second major or minor, post-graduation plans (such as going to medical school), existing credit, summer plans, etc. Students should regularly work with their assigned academic advisor(s) to create a schedule projection that is best for them.

Year 1: Autumn

  • ARTSSCI 1100.07 (College Survey) - 1 credit
  • MATH 1151 or 1156 (Calculus 1) - 5 credits
  • CHEM 1210 (Gen Chem 1) - 5 credits
  • First Semester of World Language - 4 credits
  • GENED 1201 (GE Launch Seminar) - 1 credit
  • Semester Total: 16 credits

Year 1: Spring

  • CHEM 1220 (Gen Chem 2) - 5 credits
  • BIO 1113.01 (Energy Transfer) - 4 credits
  • Second Semester of World Language - 4 credits
  • GE (Writing and Information Literacy) - 3 credits
  • Semester Total: 16 credits
  • Year 1 Total: 32 credits

Year 2: Autumn

  • CHEM 2510 (Organic Chem Lecture 1) - 4 credits
  • BIO 1114.01 (Form & Function) - 4 credits
  • STAT 1450.01/.02 or 2450.01/.02 or 2480.01/.02 (Introductory Statistics) - 3 credits
  • Third Semester of World Language - 4 credits
  • Semester Total: 15 credits

Year 2: Spring

  • CHEM 2520 (Organic Chem Lecture 2) - 4 credits
  • CHEM 2540 (Organic Chem Lab 1) - 2 credits
  • MICRBIO 4100 (General Microbiology) - 5 credits
  • GE (Citizenship for a Diverse and Just World 1) - 3 credits
  • Semester Total: 14 credits
  • Year 2 Total: 29 credits

Year 3: Autumn

Year 3: Spring

  • PHYSICS 1200 or 1250 (Physics 1) - 5 credits
  • MICRBIO 4120 (Microbial Physiology and Diversity) - 3 credits
  • Micro major elective (full list on Major Requirements page) - 3 credits
  • GE (Thematic Selection 1) - 3 credits
  • GE (Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Diversity) - 3 credits
  • Semester Total: 17 credits
  • Year 3 Total: 33 credits

Year 4: Autumn

  • MICRBIO 4130 (Microbial Genetics) - 3 credits
  • Micro major elective (full list on Major Requirements page) - 3 credits
  • GE (Thematic Selection 2) - 3 credits
  • GE (Historical and Cultural Studies) - 3 credits
  • Free Elective - 3 credits
  • Semester Total: 15 credits

Year 4: Spring

  • MICRBIO 4140 (Molecular Microbiology Laboratory) - 3 credits
  • Micro major elective (full list on Major Requirements page) - 3 credits
  • GE (Social and Behavioral Sciences) - 3 credits
  • Free Elective(s) - 2-3 credits
  • GENED 4001 (GE Reflection Seminar) - 1 credit
  • Semester Total: 12-13 credits
  • Year 4 Total: 27-28 credits
  • Degree Total: 121+ credits